The Interpretation Of Non-Ferrous Metalworking In Early Historic Scotland

Abstract

The narratives normally associated with non-ferrous metalworking in Early Historic Scotland (c. AD 500 to AD 800) are usually confined to evidence from important and probably high status, sites. This chapter considers sites with evidence for Early Historic non-ferrous metalworking in the form of crucibles and moulds. Any discussion of mid-first millennium AD structures and their assemblages is hindered by problems of chronology, taphonomy and reuse. In certain areas, particularly the Western and Northern Isles, non-ferrous metals were worked on a larger number and wider variety of sites than normally considered. The majority of evidence for non-ferrous metalworking is from nuclear- or hill-forts, sites believed to be chiefly or kingly residences, or 'Dark Age' capitals. Any discussion of mid-first millennium AD structures and their assemblages is hindered by problems of chronology, taphonomy and reuse. Many structures, although built before the Early Historic period, were reused and modified during this time. Keywords: Dark Age capitals; early historic Scotland; non-ferrous metalworking; Northern Isles